The 2026 Pennsylvania primary election is approaching on May 19. To help voters make an informed decision, two local political organizations are joining forces to host a Congressional Candidates Forum on Monday, April 20 at the Penn Alexander School.

The forum will feature three democratic candidates vying for the seat now held by Rep. Dwight Evans, who announced his retirement last summer. The candidates include:

• State Senator Sharif Street: Currently representing Pennsylvania’s 3rd Senatorial District, Street has been a vocal advocate for housing rights, criminal justice reform, and economic development in Philadelphia.

• Dr. Ala Stanford: A pediatric surgeon and the founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, Dr. Stanford gained national recognition for her grassroots efforts to provide healthcare access and COVID-19 testing to underserved communities.

• State Rep. Chris Rabb: Representing the 200th Legislative District, Rabb is known for his focus on social equity, environmental justice, and government transparency.

Attendees will have the chance to hear the candidates’ stances on local and national issues and participate in a Q&A session to address specific community concerns.

The forum is being co-hosted by the 24th Ward Democratic Electoral Committee (serving Mantua, Parkside, and Powelton) and the 27th Ward Democratic Committee (covering University City, Spruce Hill, and parts of Southwest Philly).

The event will be held at Penn Alexander School, 43rd and Locust (see the flyer for more details). Admission is free and open to all members of the public.